Rating: 
Summary: A story of compassion
Review: Having followed the story of their arrest on the news, I eagerly snatched up this book. Once I got into its pages, I could see that many will be offended by this story. Why? Because they will not understand it. You can understand what drove these women only if you have experienced similar faith and have lived a similar ministry. I can understand where Dayna and Heather are coming from. We get their religious background, how they came to know and love God. We see how they felt drawn to Afghanistan to help the downtrodden. I was touched by their ministry to the poor. So much of it was practical, such as giving clothing and food. But the two also realized how these people, living under so hard a regime, needed hope. So the two walked a fine line, giving hope without actively converting. Maybe some will see Dayna's and Heather's weaknesses, as when they were imprisoned and discouraged. But I saw their strengths, how they never stopped loving, how they continued to minister--giving food, clothing, etc., to fellow prisoners. I saw how they continued to give hope, teaching songs, telling stories,... Even cold, ill, or hungry, they still put others before themselves. And I was touched at the goodness of the Afghani people, their hospitality. Dayna and Heather displayed no bitterness or resentment in their story. We see this story as part of their personal spiritual growth. I feel those who know them are lucky.
Rating: 
Summary: Keep NGO aid work secular!
Review: This is a timely book to read in light of the current military campaign in Irag and yet-to-be-outlined plans for "reconstruction" by a "born again" President. While poorly written (probably quickly written in order to capitalize on publicity following their imprisonment and dramatic pickup by US special forces), Prisoners of Hope gives insight into the mentality of two evangelical NGO workers. While no one can doubt the eagerness of these young women to visit the ill, feed the hugry, and clothe the destitute, their naive decision to show a Jesus film to a curious family had serious consequences for Afghanis connected with their project, other aid workers, and the US military personel dispatched to airlift them out of a dangerous situation. The book describes the daily suffering of the Kabul citizens living under the Taliban in a shattered economy but does not give any insight into their Islamic faith or mention of the honor Muslims accorded Jesus as a prophet. ( The fact that a family was curious to see a film about Jesus does not necessarily mean that they were on the verge of conversion. The appendix with instructions on "how to bring Jesus" into one's heart suggests a rather simplistic view of spiritual development.) Although their imprisonment conditions were terrible, it would appear better than those endured by ordinary Afghanis. Curry, Mercer, and other arrested aid workers were able to order food and supplies from outside and allowed to stay together.
Fortunately, I got this book from the library instead of purchasing it - it's too disorganized to merit a re-read. Still, I'm glad that I resisted urges to put down the book. It makes one understand why aid workers should not proselytize.
Rating:
Summary: Prisoners of Hope
Review: I thought this book was extremely interesting. Although not the best written in the world, it makes up for it by the insight you gain about the Afgahni people and the hearts of these brave women. I enjoyed it and would read it again and recommend it to others.
Rating:
Summary: Sincere but Naive
Review: I'll try to avoid my own views about missionary work and try to review the actual content of this book. I think these two women are sincerely religious and have a true love for the Afghani people but in their blind religious zeal, they didn't see the harm they were actually doing. I was relieved to see that they did visit hospitals and did do some charity work but they were really breaking the law and drawing local people into potiential danger. I would have liked to know what happened to that little girl with cerebal palsy... I was glad to read their side of the story after seeing coverage of their adventure in the press. I was relieved that they were not grossly mistreated. While their captivity wasn't a luxurious vacation, I think their difficulties were more psychological than physical. One small point bothered me throughout; I felt there was a certain tension between the two of them. Heather seems to have weathered worse than Dayna. She mentions, at one point when the British journalist was confined with them, something about being able to express herself freely and doesn't explain more. I feel like there is something big they're not revealing. I would have liked to have read more about what happened once they were released. I felt kind of let go at the end without a nice tie-up. I found that, while this is not a great work of literature, it's very readable and interesting. Since I'm not a Christian, I wont comment on the religious slant to the book but it was good insight on the outlook their brand of Christianity gives on the world. It obviously was a great comfort to them so I wont judge that. Dayna seems to have good command of the language and I hope she is able to put this skill to use in the future to help this culture she appreciates. Heather maybe should stay closer to home, especially after the tragic death of her sister right before this experience. Her parents have been through enough I think. This book would be a good discussion point for future missionaries. After their imprisonment, other foreigners were evacuated out of Afghanistan, many of whom were doing far more to help the local people and their work was cut short too. If only they had respected the local laws... They know that they were very, very lucky to have made it through it all intact!
Rating: 
Summary: A Testimony of God¿s Faithfulness
Review: In August of 2001, we were introduced to American missionaries Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer. Each had accepted their calling into missions and was serving the people of Afghanistan. While many lives were changed as a result of their work, the Taliban arrested them for sharing their faith. For over three months the world watched and prayed for their release and eventually in November 2001, these prayers were answered. While many of us believe that we have heard the whole story, there is more. Told candidly in first person, Heather & Dayna take the reader into their world. We are introduced to the people they impacted, their experiences in Afghanistan, and those who also were involved in their journey during their time in prison. You will truly be moved as you read of the experience that made both women stronger and passionate like never before. Prisoners of Hope is a powerful, moving, and compelling story, one that is true testimony of God's faithfulness and mercy even through the most difficult of times. Dayna and Heather are incredible women and as a young Christian woman I salute them for heeding the call and sharing the gospel to the Afghan people. I pray that God will continue to bless them both greatly. Reviewed by Kanika (Nika) Wade
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: The pampered emprisonment of two fools
Review: Two fanatical Christian American girls are imprisoned by the Taliban for attempting to spread their faith.
(I know we don't like to associate the world fanatical and Christian but what else do you call it when they're ready to leave their homes and loved ones, travel far away, live in uncomfortable conditions and risk their lives and those of others in the process? Saints? I call it fanatical.)
I thought their story would be truly horrible: American females at the hands of Islamic fanatics? It sound very very bad. I thought I would read about strength of spirit, human survival etc. I was completely wrong.
These two girls purposefully and deliberately violated the laws of the country they were in. They were risking capture and once captured, anything might happen: rape, torture, death. They knew it or should have known it if they were not so darn naive and unexposed. They were also endangering the lives of other people by being unable to restrain themselves from gushing about their God, like infatuated teenagers.
So they were captured...and against all expectations, they were then basically pampered by the oh-so-evil Taliban.
They received more goodies and had more liberties than most of America's penitentiary population. They had money, they ordered extra food from stores, once a birthday cake from a bakery for a birthday party.
Their comments are sometimes mind boggling. Heather throws a spoiled child tantrum when a letter to her parents is confiscated by her jailers. ("After all the time I invested in writing the letter, he took it way") Sounds like a harried New York stockbroker not a prisoner with nothing to do all day long. She's indignant that she can't see her father on his birthday (oh, are the Talibans supposed to care?) and then complains that they took away his birthday card that she made herself. (No Heather is not 5, she's in her twenties).
As for Dayna, I'm puzzled by her preoccupation with make-up. During a visit to her house, when she can grabs some needed items to bring back to the jail, she gets more make-up since her supply isgetting low. She mentions make-up several times (first thing she does when she thinks she's free is to apply make-up - in the middle of chaos and bombing, she finally "gives up on putting any" etc) and when they finally hear that a helicopter will be picking them up and they cannot bring any bags with them, one of the first thing she stashes away in her clothes is her make-up and even her make-up bag. Never be part of a US military rescue operation in a country at war without it! These girls were intent on doing charity work. But they were unprepared, unexposed, naive and reckless. I'm not denying they went through a hard experience. But compared with what could have happened, it's a very relative hard experience. Although they have denied working as missionaries, the book gives you a taste of what they are like, and they talk about God A LOT. A fellow reviewer talks about "the horrible conditions of their captivity". Don't be fooled. They were not horrible. Given the time, place and circumstances, they were anything but. I think Amnesty International would probably have rated their captivity conditions as a first class hotel compared to what other unfortunate human beings live through.
I didn't gain much respect for them by reading this book, and they are definitely no HEROES. What is the media's definition of heroes, for heaven sake? Anybody who has to be rescued by military extraction? Please.
And this is not an anti-Christian bash. I am a Christian. But I like to think I'm not a fool.
Rating:
Summary: good story but..........
Review: but I had a very hard time getting into this one. it just wasnt written in the manner of a story that I am drawn to.I like something that flows, but this one, for me, kept gettin gtripped up in its efforts to share their love for God. I dont knock them for loving Jesus and God(Im catholic myself) I just think that it got in the way of them telling their story. I loved the story when I read the description but after I started it,I found myself feeling as if I were being cornered by over zealous people on the topic of religion. I am very catholic and its very important to me, and while I feel that the girls were just being enthusiastic, I think they went a bit overboard. I guess it just got a little bit unobjective (their manner of presentation)and overzealous, to be appealing.
Rating:
Summary: Behind the headlines
Review: The plight of Christian workers Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer in Afghanistan was well-chronicled by American newspapers. This book fills in some of the blanks and tells how the girls went overseas in the first place and what their lives were like before they were captured by the Taliban. They attempted to help the poor people in this Muslim country while letting the people know that they were Christians. Since Taliban law forbade people from attempting to convert Afghans to Chrisianity, they walked a fine line. The majority of the book describes their imprisonment and the life they led while waiting to be rescued. Although the details of their captivity are presented in a somewhat confusing fashion, the book is inspirational in that these two young women gave up the comforts of home, and risked their lives in order to do God's will. They also describe some of the spiritual turmoil they felt while trying to look to God for sustenance.
Rating:
Summary: A fresh perspective on the lives of missionaries
Review: This is the story of Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer, the two American Christian aid workers who were arrested by the Taliban prior to 9-11 for witnessing to families in Afghanistan. The book begins with a little background about the pair and how they eventually came to know Christ. They relate how God began to put the people of Afghanistan on their hearts, leading them to become aid workers. From their arrest, captivity, and harrowing escape, the descriptive writing style of Stacy Mattingly, while sometimes too detailed, will make you feel as if you are with them throughout their ordeal. I could not put this book down. It was written in the form of a journal from each perspective, which allowed you to see the separate struggles each faced. The stories of the suffering they encountered prior to arrest broke my heart. To face the penalty of death while witnessing must have taken great courage. They constantly had favor with their captors, and it is a miracle they escaped alive. Reading this book will put a face to the people of Afghanistan, unlike the media. It will also instill a healthy perspective on what we truly have as Americans.
Rating:
Summary: Dumb and dumber.
Review: This story would make a hilarious movie starring Adam Sandler and Will Farrell as two muddle-headed evangelists who bumble their way through a foreign country, obliviously offending and endangering everyone they come into contact with. Of course, the funniest part of the story (in the "Being There" tradition of elevating simpletons to great heights) is when the hapless duo return to the US to be treated as heroic royalty by incredibly gullible segments of the population who mistake their primitive naivete to be a sign of courage or nobility. If you love reading books about totally clueless Americans who embarrass themselves and their country in ill-concieved attempts at religious conversion, you're gonna love 'Prisoners of Hope'. Soon to play at a theatre near you under the title of "Dumb and Dumber Go to Afghanistan". 2 stars for unintended humor and absurdity.
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